Coffee Degassing Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A coffee degassing device is disclosed and method. The coffee degassing device comprises a coffee bin and a hollow tree within the bin. The hollow tree has an opening in communication with the interior of the coffee bin. The tree provides an exit path for carbon dioxide off-gassing from the coffee. The device may have a diffusion gas supply conduit. The diffusion gas supply conduit is in communication with the hollow tree and is configured to supply nitrogen, or another diffusion gas, to the degassing tree for accelerating the degassing of coffee.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/529,773, filed Jul. 7, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coffee degassing device and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After coffee is roasted, the roasted coffee will release carbon dioxide(CO₂). Some of the carbon dioxide in the coffee is released duringroasting. Some of the carbon dioxide in the coffee is released duringgrinding after roasting. Further some carbon dioxide in coffee isrelease after grinding, in some cases, over about a 4 to 8 day period,depending on coffee origin, roast color, and grind.

Inasmuch as this carbon dioxide will cause impermeable pouches, cans,and other containers to “blow up,” the coffee manufacturing processneeds to account for off-gassing of carbon dioxide. Previously,provision for off-gassing has included holding coffee in silos or otherstorage vessels for a period of time ranging from 6 to 96 hoursdepending on the variables mentioned above as well as the type ofpackaging container being utilized. But, the present inventor hasrecognized that waiting up to 96 hours for off-gassing to complete inorder to package coffee delays shipment of coffee and increases costs.

Some of the methodologies for eliminating the degree of hold time foroff-gassing have included vacuum packing of can coffee and the use ofexpensive one-way valves in both can coffee as well as packages andpouches. Yet, in some applications, such as brick pack containers andcapsules, the use of one-way valves is not possible. The presentinventors recognized the need for a device and method for improved andaccelerated coffee degassing. The present inventors recognized the needfor a conduit within a coffee holding area of a coffee bin to acceleratethe degassing and exhausting of carbon dioxide from coffee. The presentinventors recognized the desirability of using a diffusion gas toaccelerate coffee degassing with no or minimal effect on the valuabletaste and aromatics of the coffee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A coffee degassing device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the coffeedegassing device comprises a coffee bin, a hollow tree within the bin.The hollow tree has an opening in communication with the interior of thecoffee bin. In some embodiments the device has a diffusion gas supplyconduit. The diffusion gas supply conduit is in communication with thehollow tree and is configured to supply a diffusion gas, such asnitrogen, to the degassing tree.

In some embodiments, the coffee degassing device comprises a coffee bin,a degassing chamber, a nitrogen supply line, and an exhaust conduit. Thedegassing chamber is within the bin. The degassing chamber has an atleast partially open side in communication with an interior of thecoffee bin and adjacent coffee in the bin. The nitrogen supply line isin communication with the degassing chamber. The exhaust conduit is incommunication with the degassing chamber and an exterior of the bin.

A method of coffee degassing is disclosed. Nitrogen is supplied into adegassing tree in an enclosed bin containing roasted coffee. Thedegassing tree is at least partially embedded in the roasted coffee.Carbon dioxide is diffused from the coffee with the nitrogen. Carbondioxide and the nitrogen are exhausted from the bin.

Another method of coffee degassing is disclosed. Nitrogen is suppliedinto a degassing chamber in an enclosed bin containing roasted coffee.The degassing chamber is at least partially embedded in the roastedcoffee. Carbon dioxide is diffused from the coffee with the nitrogen.Carbon dioxide and the nitrogen are exhausted from the bin.

A further method of coffee degassing is disclosed. Coffee is provided ina coffee bin. The coffee bin comprises a conduit in the coffee holdingarea of the bin. The conduit comprises at least one opening incommunication with the surrounding coffee in the coffee bin. The conduitprovides an exit path for carbon dioxide off-gassing from the coffee toexit through on a passive basis without a diffusion gas necessarilybeing used or circulated.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a coffee degassing device of one embodiment ofthe invention, the coffee bin of the coffee degassing device is shown ina front section view.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a branch of the degassing tree ofthe degassing device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view of a branch of the degassing tree of FIG. 1taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a second embodiment coffee degassingdevice.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a third embodiment coffee degassingdevice.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of a branch of the degassing device ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section view of a branch of the degassing tree of FIG. 5taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention. For the purposes of explanation,specific nomenclature is used provides a plural understanding of thepresent invention. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment inmany different forms, the drawings and this description demonstratespecific embodiments of the invention with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

A first embodiment degassing device 11 is shown in FIG. 1. The degassingdevice comprises a degassing tree 10 and a container or bin 14. The bin14 can hold or store coffee, such as ground coffee 12.

The degassing tree 10 comprises a trunk 18 and four branches 20, 22, 24,and 26. The trunk is a hollow conduit or tube. The trunk 18 extendsvertically in the bin. The branches 20, 22, 24, and 26 are hollowconduits or tubes with a portion 23 of the side wall of the tubesremoved as shown in FIG. 3. The branches each may comprise open ends,such as end 33 that are exposed to adjacent coffee inside the bin. WhileFIG. 3 shows a cross-section of branch 22, the cross-sections ofbranches 20, 24, and 26 are the same as is shown in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, the removed portion 23 is 120 degrees of the tube. In someembodiments, the trunk has a portion of the side wall removed in thesame manner as shown in FIG. 3. The removed portion on the trunk may beon any side of the trunk. In some embodiments, the trunk does not have aportion of its sidewall removed.

A supply conduit or tube 28 extends through the tree 10, including inthe trunk 18 and the four branches 20, 22, 24, and 26. The supply tube28 supplies a diffusion gas, such as nitrogen.

The supply tube 28 may comprise a trunk supply tube 17 a extendingthrough the trunk 18 and four branch supply tubes 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, 17e, extending from the trunk supply tube through the correspondingbranches 20, 22, 24, 26. The removed portion 23 of branches 20, 22, 24,26 is opposite the supply tube 28. The supply tube 28 may be located atthe top of the branches and the removed portion 23 may be located at thebottom.

FIG. 2 shows a side section view of an end portion 21 of branch 20. Thesupply tube 28 has a curved end portion 31. An end 33 of the supply tube28 is open internal to the branch 20 and opposite an end 35 of thebranch. This encourages the flow of nitrogen and entrained carbondioxide 37 up the branch and up the trunk 18 to the headspace 30. Thenitrogen and carbon dioxide can exit the bin, such as through theone-way valve 32.

The tree 10 can be supported within the bin 14 by one or more framemembers 19 a, 19 b extending from the bin to the tree. The frame membersmay join with the trunk and/or the branches to support the tree withinthe bin. In some embodiments the frame member(s) may extend from a topof the bin and support the tree from the top of the bin. In someembodiments the frame member(s) may extend from a bottom of the bin.

In other embodiments, more or less branches may be used and the branchesmay be provided at different angles from the trunk than is shown in thefigures. For example, one, two, three, four, or more branches may beused. While the trunk and branches are shown as a hollow tube with arounded cross-section, other cross-sectional shaped tubes are possible,such as quadrilateral, square, rectangle, triangle, etc.

At least two modes of accelerated degassing of coffee are disclosed. Thefirst mode is a passive mode. The existence of the tree 10, 84, and/orconduit 42 and degassing chamber 44, as a conduit within the bed ofcoffee provides a path for carbon dioxide to exit the coffee without thefriction of migrating through a bed of coffee without a conduit. Theexistence of an open path within the bed of coffee provides a passivebasis for carbon dioxide to degas and exit the coffee even if nitrogenis not flown through the tree or degassing chamber 44. The second modeis an active mode. In the active mode, a diffusion gas, such asnitrogen, is flown in or through the tree 10, 84, conduit 42, and/or adegassing chamber 44, to achieve accelerated degassing, as is more fullyexplained below.

In some embodiments, a method of degassing of carbon dioxide utilizesthe degassing tree 10 to expose the coffee 12 throughout the bin 14 tothe diffusion properties of nitrogen 16, as shown in FIG. 1. The flow ofnitrogen does not pass through the bed of coffee 12, but rather is usedas a diffusive agent at the locations where the degassing tree 10 islocated within the bed of coffee 12. Carbon dioxide degassing from thecoffee will equalize through diffusion through a bed of coffee. An endresult of equalization is equilibrium where the carbon dioxide is nolonger or substantially no longer diffusing from the coffee. Thediffusion gas, such as nitrogen, is a means of diffusion of the carbondioxide via desorption. During desorption, the degassing tree 10 and theheadspace 30 will comprise a combination of the nitrogen and carbondioxide 37.

Another method of degassing utilizes the head space 30. The headspace 30is the area between the top 13 of the bed of coffee 12 within the coffeebin 14 and the top 15 of the bin. The headspace 30 can be used forpassive diffusion utilizing nitrogen. The carbon dioxide laden nitrogen37 being exhausted to the outside of the bin, for example through aone-way valve 32. The head space degassing can be used in combinationwith the degassing tree or without the degassing tree.

Although there can be a variety of combinations, the nitrogen enteringthe tapered or non-tapered degassing tree branches at their further-mostpoints, such as the ends 33 of the tube 28 at or adjacent the ends ofthe branches, will quickly rise through the branches and the trunk 18 ofthe tree 10, drawing carbon dioxide with it, to the headspace 30 above,at which point the nitrogen will circulate and further diffuse thecarbon dioxide, after which it will exit the bin, for example through aone-way valve 32. In some embodiments, the nitrogen may be continuouslysupplied at a predetermined rate into the degassing tree. In someembodiments, the nitrogen may be supplied at intermittent intervals.

In addition to the diffusion effects of the diffusion gas, such asnitrogen, the replacement of resident carbon dioxide off-gasses with thenitrogen in the headspace 30 of the bin 14 is helpful in degassinginasmuch as carbon dioxide has a very low coefficient of diffusion andotherwise inhibits the degassing of the coffee.

In some embodiments, a headspace branch line/conduit 34 extends off thetube 28. Therefore nitrogen can be provided directly to the headspace.The branching off of line 34 from tube 28 occurs outside of the bin inFIG. 1, but it could also occur at a location inside the bin. Further,in some embodiments, the branch line 34 is not a branch off of tube 28but is a separate line from tube 28. Still further, in some embodiments,the branch 34 could enter the headspace from a side of the bin ratherthan the top.

A second embodiment degassing device 40 is shown in FIG. 4. Thedegassing device 40 comprises a main conduit 42, degassing chamber 44,and a bin 46. The bin 46 can hold or store coffee, such as ground coffee12. In some embodiments, the main conduit 42 extend vertically to thedegassing chamber 44 as shown in FIG. 4. The degassing chamber 44 has anopen bottom side 58. In some embodiments the bottom side is completelyopen and in some embodiments the bottom side is partially open. The openbottom side 58 allows carbon dioxide off gassing from the coffee toenter the chamber and to interact with the nitrogen supplied in thechamber.

A diffusion gas supply conduit or tube 48 extends through the conduit 42into the degassing chamber 44 for supplying the nitrogen. The supplytube 48 may extend from an external source outside of the bin. Thesupply tube 48 may have the same cross sectional shape as tube 28. Thesupply tube may be located at or adjacent a side of the conduit 42, asshown in FIG. 4. The supply tube 48 is shown at an interior right sideof the conduit, but it may be located anywhere within the conduit 42.The conduit 42, like the trunk 18, and branches 20, 22, 24, 26 of tree10, is larger than the supply tube 48, so as to allow a return/exhaustpath for the nitrogen and carbon dioxide 50 to reach the headspace 54and to exit an upper end of the bin, such as through an upper one-wayvalve 52. A bottom end 60 of the tube 48 is open to allow the nitrogento enter the degassing chamber 44. The head space 54 is located betweenthe top 68 of the coffee 12 and the top wall 66 of the bin 46.

In some embodiments, the degassing chamber 44 is defined by a conicalwall 56 forming a cone. The conduit 42 joins the cone at a top end. Thecone has the open bottom side 58. The open bottom side 58 allowsexposure of the adjacent coffee to the degassing chamber 44 and to thenitrogen supplied into the degassing chamber by the tube 48. While thedegassing chamber is shown in a conical form, other shapes are possiblesuch as a cube, box, pyramid, sphere, ellipse, cylinder, irregular shapeor other single or multi-sided shape defining a three dimensional spacecomprising at least a partially open bottom. In some embodiments, forexample, if the side walls of the chamber are vertical, the side wallscould be open or partially open.

In some embodiments, a lower exhaust path 62 is provided from the bin46. The path may be in the form of a tube or other conduit. A lowerone-way valve 64 allows the nitrogen and carbon dioxide 50 to exit thebin but prevents air or exterior gas from entering into the degassingchamber. In some embodiments, the exit path 62 may be perpendicular tothe vertical conduit 42.

The degassing chamber 44 is shown in the lower quarter of the bin 46 inFIG. 4. Since carbon dioxide is a heavy gas it tends to fall to thebottom of the bin. Therefore, having the degassing chamber in a lowerportion of the bin is beneficial in accelerating the carbon dioxidedegassing and therein and exhausting therefrom. However, in someembodiments the degassing chamber can be located in the lower third ofthe bin or the lower half of the bin. In some embodiments, the degassingchamber is located in an upper portion of the bin, such as the upperhalf of the bin or the upper fourth of the bin. The degassing chambercan be located in any portion of the coffee bin.

The conduit 42 and the degassing chamber 44 can be supported within thebin 46 by one or more frame members (not shown) extending from the binto the conduit 42 and/or the chamber 44.

In some embodiments, a method of degassing of carbon dioxide utilizesthe degassing chamber 44 to expose the coffee 12 in the bin 46 to thediffusion properties of the nitrogen 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The flow ofnitrogen does not pass through the bed of coffee 12, but rather is usedas a diffusive agent at the location where the degassing chamber 44 islocated within the bed of coffee 12. Carbon dioxide degassing from thecoffee will equalize through diffusion through a bed of coffee. An endresult of equalization is equilibrium where the carbon dioxide is nolonger or substantially no longer diffusing from the coffee. Thenitrogen is a means of diffusion of the carbon dioxide via desorption.During desorption, the conduit 42, the degassing chamber 44, and theheadspace 30 will comprise a combination of the nitrogen and carbondioxide 50. The combination of nitrogen and carbon dioxide 50 can exitthrough valves 52 or 64.

Another method of degassing utilizes the head space 54. The area betweenthe top 66 of the bed of coffee 12 within the coffee bin 46 and the top68 of the bin, or headspace 54, can be used for passive diffusionutilizing the nitrogen. The carbon dioxide laden nitrogen 50 beingexhausted to the outside of the bin, for example through a one-way valve52.

A third embodiment degassing device 80 is shown in FIGS. 5 through 7.The degassing device 80 comprises the degassing chamber 44 and the bin46 of device 40, but comprises a degassing tree 82 similar to tree 10 ofdevice 11. Therefore the degassing tree 82 and degassing chamber 44 canbe combined. The bin 46 can hold or store coffee, such as ground coffee12.

The degassing tree 82 comprises a trunk 84 and four branches 86, 88, 90,92. The trunk is a hollow conduit or tube. The trunk 84 connects to thedegassing chamber 44 and is in communication with the chamber 44. Thebranches 86, 88, 90, 92 are hollow conduit or tubes with a portion 85 ofthe side wall of the tubes removed as shown in FIG. 7. The branches eachmay comprise open ends, such as end 87 that are exposed to coffee insidethe bin. While FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of branch 88, thecross-sections of tubes 86, 88, 90, 92 are the same as shown in FIG. 7.

A diffusion gas supply conduit or tube 94 extends through the tree 82,including in the trunk 84 and the four branches 86, 88, 90, and 92 forsupplying the diffusion gas, such as nitrogen. Therefore, the supplytube 94 may comprise a trunk supply tube 95 extending through the trunkand four branch supply tubes, 96, 98, 100, 102 extending from the trunksupply tube through the corresponding branches 86, 88, 90, 92. Theremoved portion 85 is opposite the supply tube 94. The supply tube 94may be located at the top of the branches and the removed portion 85 maybe located at the bottom.

FIG. 6 shows a side section view of an end portion 89 of branch 86. Thesupply tube 94 has a curved end portion 91. An end 93 of the supply tube94 is open internal to the branch 86 and opposite an end 87 of thebranch. This encourages the flow of the nitrogen up the branch and upthe trunk 84 to the headspace 54. The curved end portion 91 has agreater radius of curvature than does end portion 31, so that the end 93is located closer to the top of the branch 86 than is the end 33 inbranch 20.

In some embodiments, a method of degassing of carbon dioxide utilizesthe tree 82 and degassing chamber 44 to expose the coffee 12 in the bin46 to the diffusion properties of nitrogen. That is, the flow ofnitrogen does not pass through the bed of coffee 12, but rather is usedas a diffusive agent at locations where the degassing tree 82 anddegassing chamber 44 are located within the bed of coffee 12. Duringdesorption, the tree 82, degassing chamber 44, and the headspace 30 willcomprise a combination of the nitrogen and carbon dioxide 50.

In some embodiments, the operator or a computer control can select amongoperating modes: headspace only mode where the nitrogen is flown to theheadspace and not directly into the tree 10, 84; tree mode, where thenitrogen is flown into the tree only and not directly into theheadspace; and dual mode, where the nitrogen is flown directly into theheadspace and into the tree at the same time. One or more valves can beused on tube 28 and or 34 to control whether the nitrogen is allowed toflow through tubes 28 or 34 and into the respective tree and/orheadspace. In some embodiments, the device can be configured to provideonly one of the operating modes. Regarding the second coffee degassingdevice 40, the operator or a computer control can select among operatingmodes: headspace only mode where the nitrogen is flown to the headspaceand not directly into the conduit 42 and degassing chamber 44; chambermode, where the nitrogen is flown into the degassing chamber and notdirectly into the headspace; and dual mode, where the nitrogen is flowndirectly into the degassing chamber and headspace at the same time.Regarding the third embodiment coffee degassing device 80, the operatoror a computer control can select among operating modes: headspace onlymode where the nitrogen is flown to the headspace and not directly intothe tree 82 and degassing chamber 44; tree/chamber mode, where thenitrogen is flown into the tree and degassing chamber and not directlyinto the headspace; and dual mode, where the nitrogen is flown directlyinto the tree, degassing chamber, and headspace at the same time.

The bins 14, 46 each comprise a top opening (not shown) for receivingcoffee. The top opening can be sealingly closed by a door (not shown).The bin 14, 46 may each comprise a lower coffee exit 39 (not shown forbin 46). The lower coffee exit may be sealingly closable by a lower door(not shown). While two types of coffee bins 14 and 46 are shown, othershaped and types of containers or bins for holding coffee can be used.The coffee bins, when closed, can seal the coffee bin from exposure toexterior air, oxygen, and contaminants. The bins may be supported on astand, such as stand 25. The stand may comprise legs 27 that connect tothe bin, one or more cross-members 29 connecting the legs 27, andoptional wheels 29 a. Bin 46 comprises mounting arms 70, which may beused for mounting to a stand. As shown in the drawings, the bins maycomprise a tapered or conical bottom portion 14 a, 72. In someembodiments, the side wall of the tapered portion 14 a is angled 14 cseventy two degrees from a horizontal plane 14 b of the exit end.

As explained above, in some embodiments, the degassing tree 10, 82,conduit 42, and/or the degassing chamber 44 can be used passively. Whenthe degassing tree or degassing chamber is used passively, no means ofdiffusion is flown into the degassing tree or degassing chamber, insteadthe carbon dioxide off gasses and escapes through the degassing tree 10,82, conduit 42 and/or degassing chamber 44, without a flown or injectedmeans of diffusions, and out of the bin, such as through one or moreone-way valve.

In some embodiments, other diffusion gases, such as other chemicals,elements, or compounds, can be used as means of diffusion in place ofnitrogen or in addition to nitrogen. In some embodiments, otherdiffusion gases are usable that have a positive coefficient of diffusionthat assist in the degassing, desorption, and/or equalizing of thecarbon dioxide degassing from coffee. In some embodiments, the otherdiffusion gases include inert gases, such as argon. In some applicationswhere nitrogen is used in may be in the form of dinitrogen (N₂).

In some embodiments, air might be used as a means of diffusion in placeof nitrogen if the user accepts the effects that air might have on thecoffee taste and aromatics.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. For example, one or more component or embodimentsmay be combined, modified, removed, or supplemented to form furtherembodiments within the scope of the invention. As a further example,steps provided could be carried out in a different order to achievedesired results. Further, steps could be added or removed from theprocesses described. Therefore, other embodiments and implementationsare within the scope of the invention.

1. A coffee degassing device, comprising: a coffee bin; a hollow treewithin the bin, the hollow tree comprising an opening in communicationwith the interior of the coffee bin; and, a diffusion gas supply conduitin communication with the hollow tree.
 2. The coffee degassing device ofclaim 1, wherein the tree comprises a trunk and at least one branch, theat least one branch in communication with the trunk.
 3. The coffeedegassing device of claim 1, wherein the tree comprises a plurality ofbranches, each of the plurality of branches comprising an at leastpartially open sidewall to expose the branch to coffee within the bin.4. The coffee degassing device of claim 3, wherein the at leastpartially open sidewall is located on a bottom side of the branch. 5.The coffee degassing device of claim 3, wherein the diffusion gas supplyconduit comprises an exit opening at a terminal end of the supplyconduit and the terminal end terminates adjacent at least one end of abranch of the plurality of branches.
 6. The coffee degassing device ofclaim 3, wherein the diffusion gas supply conduit comprises a supplyconduit trunk and a plurality of supply conduit branches extending fromthe trunk, each of the plurality of supply conduit branches is locatedin a corresponding branch of the hollow tree.
 7. The coffee degassingdevice of claim 1, wherein the diffusion gas supply conduit is anitrogen supply conduit.
 8. The coffee degassing device of claim 1,comprising a one-way exhaust valve in communication with an exterior ofthe coffee bin in an upper portion of the coffee bin.
 9. A coffeedegassing device, comprising: a coffee bin; a degassing chamber withinthe bin, the degassing chamber comprising an at least partially openside in communication with an interior of the coffee bin; a diffusiongas supply line in communication with the degassing chamber, an exhaustconduit in communication with the degassing chamber and an exterior ofthe bin.
 10. The coffee degassing device of claim 9, wherein thepartially open side is a bottom side of the degassing chamber.
 11. Thecoffee degassing device of claim 9, wherein the degassing chambercomprises a cone shape and the partially open side is a bottom side ofthe cone shape.
 12. The coffee degassing device of claim 9, comprising aone-way exhaust valve in communication with the exhaust conduit.
 13. Thecoffee degassing device of claim 9, wherein the exhaust conduit is incommunication with a head space portion of the coffee bin.
 14. Thecoffee degassing device of claim 9, wherein the diffusion gas supplyline extends within the exhaust conduit.
 15. The coffee degassing deviceof claim 9, comprising a degassing tree, the degassing tree comprising atrunk and one or more branches, the trunk is in communication with aheadspace of the coffee bin and the degassing chamber.
 16. A coffeedegassing method, comprising the steps of: supplying a diffusion gasinto a degassing tree in an enclosed bin containing roasted coffee, thedegassing tree is at least partially embedded in the roasted coffee;diffusing a carbon dioxide from the coffee with the diffusion gas; and,exhausting the carbon dioxide and the diffusion gas from the bin. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein a headspace is provided in the binbetween a top of the coffee and a top of the bin to diffuse carbondioxide with the diffusion gas in the headspace, wherein the diffusiongas is nitrogen.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step ofexhausting comprises releasing the carbon dioxide and the diffusion gasthrough a one way valve.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein thediffusion gas is not forced through the roasted coffee outside a spaceoccupied by the degassing tree.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein thestep of diffusing is further defined in that the diffusing a carbondioxide from the coffee with the diffusion gas occurs at the degassingtree.
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)